Should Christians play video games?

[thesunisout]

An idol? I'm not worshiping these things, I just like to do them sometimes.

If it is about priority, then most of my time is spent working, so is that an idol?

Maybe you are right, maybe I should quit my job and become a missionary.

Or I can praise God daily in my mind for him providing work, a house, a tv, a computer...maybe even a video game. I could make sure I do most things in moderation too, not just video games but eating unhealthy food, working out, spending time with my family.

So for the OP's question, yes Christians can play video games.

Should they play games like WoW for 12hrs a day and miss work or school or church...probably not, then I can see an idol. But for someone that likes to play an hour or two before they go to bed at night, I'm all for that.

Side note: I honestly think you guys are just trolling me or something.

An idol is anything you put before God. Yes, your job can become your idol as well. It all depends on what God has called you to do. If God has called you to be a missionary and you don't go because you want to work and earn money then yes it is an idol. It can be idol even if God hasn't called to do something else.

2 hours a day is 60 hours a month and over 700 hours a year. Calculate how many hours a month you spend in prayer, reading the scripture or doing things for God and you'll quickly see what really has the priority in your life.

No, it's not wrong for Christians to play some video games, but it can easily become an idol. Even things which are explicitly harmless can become idols. Watch the video I provided earlier and you'll see what I am talking about.

 

[fuji]

An idol is anything you put before God. Yes, your job can become your idol as well. It all depends on what God has called you to do. If God has called you to be a missionary and you don't go because you want to work and earn money then yes it is an idol. It can be idol even if God hasn't called to do something else.

2 hours a day is 60 hours a month and over 700 hours a year. Calculate how many hours a month you spend in prayer, reading the scripture or doing things for God and you'll quickly see what really has the priority in your life.

No, it's not wrong for Christians to play some video games, but it can easily become an idol. Even things which are explicitly harmless can become idols. Watch the video I provided earlier and you'll see what I am talking about.

Ok sure, you win. Though I probably spend more time each year watching tv and movies

[youtube]pFlcqWQVVuU[/youtube]

 

[Soverinth]

staff edit

Trust me, that is the worst thing you could ever say. Your eternal security is more important than any stupid video games, more important than anything in this world. Games are finite. God and Heaven and Hell are ETERNAL. Would you rather have eternal Joy in heaven or eternal punishment in Hell? You might want to re-think what your saying.

 

[Koakku]

Trust me, that is the worst thing you could ever say. Your eternal security is more important than any stupid video games, more important than anything in this world. Games are finite. God and Heaven and Hell are ETERNAL. Would you rather have eternal Joy in heaven or eternal punishment in Hell? You might want to re-think what your saying.

Really true, you can't take any of those things with you into eternity, if it was a choice to live 79-100 years on earth doing everything you pleased then spend infinity in hell it's obvious which one you would want.

 

[Soverinth]

staff edit

The issue you have is that your more concerned with video games than with following God. If video games are more important to you then God then your making an idol.

staff edit

This plainly sticks out that you care more about video games. I strongly recommend you re-think your decision.

 

[Girder of Loins]

staff edit

That's a very childish and immature way to think about it...

Don't get me wrong, I love video games. But if you are so absorbed in them to not listen to God, you need to step back and rethink your priorities.

 

[Girder of Loins]

staff edit

I'm not saying God has anything to say to you, but if He did, your mindset is blocking any communication on the topic. Once again, I am not saying video games are bad(jsut got done playing some Planetside), but I am saying that you need to be open to what God has planned for you.

 

[sk8brdkd]

Trust me, that is the worst thing you could ever say. Your eternal security is more important than any stupid video games, more important than anything in this world. Games are finite. God and Heaven and Hell are ETERNAL. Would you rather have eternal Joy in heaven or eternal punishment in Hell? You might want to re-think what your saying.

you aren't gonna be sent to hell for playing videogames or for watching tv or listening to music. Unless you feel God pulling you or talking to you to stop doing these things, I personally do not see anything wrong w/ it.

I do not consider video games my idol. Playing videogames like Xbox is a way for me to connect w/ friends and play online w/ friends who live in other states or those that I rarely see in person. I do not play videogames everyday and they def are not an idol. If i played them everyday like 4-6 hrs a day, Then you could tell me they are an idol --- when i play, i may play for 1-2 hours at most, sometimes a little longer but, then i stop and do other things that need to get done. Videogames are just a fun thing and God wants us to ENJOY life and have fun so, videogames is something i Enjoy and consider FUN to do so, why not do it and please God?!?

 

[Soverinth]

staff edit.

Heh, its funny because im not trying to act like i know everything. I know well enough how limited i am in my knowledge. I do know however when someone says they aren't giving up video games for anyone, even God, or the fact that you would even want to say that God can smite you all he wants because you don't want to lose the games, that it's pretty obvious you care more about video games.
I did not once say you had to do anything. Not once did i say that you have to give up your games for God. All I've been doing is recommending that you re think what your saying, because what you said, is a very bad decision. It shows pretty plainly that you care more about video games.

You said:

staff edit

And then you said:

staff edit/

I don't think you see how hypocritical that is.


And no i was not implying you are an idiot, the only thing I've been saying is you should re-think your priorities. I care about you and i don't want you to go to Hell. When your priorities are the way you've been portraying them, its scary because you don't see how blind you are. God is worth giving up the whole world. If you want to stick to your games instead then go ahead, all i'm doing is warning you that its not a wise decision. You can ignore me all you want.

 

[sk8brdkd]

staff edit

God wants us to enjoy life. We just need to be careful in what we "delight" in. Whether its good or evil --- we need to be very careful w/ what we choose. So, go play videogames, enjoy it! Have fun!! That's my belief anyways...

 

[Girder of Loins]

staff edit

All things are permissable, but not all things are profitable. God doesn't care what you do, it is why you're doing it. He doesn't care if you play video games, get tattoos, drink coffee, buy a Lambourghini, et cetera. It is why you're doing those things that He cares about. If you do it to God's glory, then play on! I play a heck of a lot of video games, but only because it is not my idol, and it keeps my imagination fresh. But I am still open to God convicting me if it does become an idol. With your original statement, you seemed dead set against listening to God about this. Once again, I have no idea if He does or not, I'm simply saying you need to have an open heart and an open mind.

staff edit

I know not what God has planned for you, but I don't appreciate the sarcasm in your post. I'm not trying to flame you or hate on you, I'm simply pointing something out you may want to work on. I'm not saying,"Stop playing video games vile scum!!!", I'm saying,"Be open to stopping video games, Brother." You are taking this very personally, when I am not making it a personal attack. We all have things to work on, myself included. I am no better than you, and you are no better then me. We are all equals in Christ. I am merely trying to help. So, sorry for trying!

 

[Soverinth]

you aren't gonna be sent to hell for playing videogames or for watching tv or listening to music. Unless you feel God pulling you or talking to you to stop doing these things, I personally do not see anything wrong w/ it.

I do not consider video games my idol. Playing videogames like Xbox is a way for me to connect w/ friends and play online w/ friends who live in other states or those that I rarely see in person. I do not play videogames everyday and they def are not an idol. If i played them everyday like 4-6 hrs a day, Then you could tell me they are an idol --- when i play, i may play for 1-2 hours at most, sometimes a little longer but, then i stop and do other things that need to get done. Videogames are just a fun thing and God wants us to ENJOY life and have fun so, videogames is something i Enjoy and consider FUN to do so, why not do it and please God?!?

You guys cant seem to read. I did not once say that playing video games are going to send you to hell. The only thing that turns it into an issue is when you start saying things like, "i'm not giving up video games for anyone" Which is what Yuber said. When you start to care more about games than God I don't think he's going to be very happy with you turning something into an idol.

 

[Koakku]

staff edit

It's not boring, once you've been born again and really understand how glorious God is and what Jesus really did for you on the cross you'd really want to work for him. Do you honestly think that things would be any different in heaven? The bible says we will be serving the Lord in heaven. Our father who art in heaven hollow be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I read three chapters of proverbs and two chapters of psalms yesterday and it was literally the best moment of that entire day, the wisdom and fulfillment i got from reading it. I use to think that its boring to serve the Lord but his glory is more satisfying then anything i can do on this earth but that's just me.

 

[Soverinth]

staff edit.

What i'm trying to get across that you don't seem to see is that by saying "I'm not giving up video games for anyone" Your turning that into an idol. And that's breaking one of the commandments. I have not said that you were going to Hell. You could be saved, you may not be. I don't personally know. Either way I really don't think God enjoys it when you claim games to be more important. You don't have to take my advice i could honestly care less. Just remember, don't put anything before God. If you don't put games before God, that's good. All i am doing is responding to what you said. And what you said pretty clearly states you care more about games. If you had said something different i probably wouldn't even be talking to you right now.

 

[Girder of Loins]

Ummmmmm... Okay. And how old are you? Because you're acting like a toddler. 1 Timothy 4:12 says that no matter what the age of the person, they can still know stuff and help others. God doesn't believe in seniority. Sure, with age comes wisdom, but that's it. The Holy Spirit uses whom He may. From your original post, it seemed to me that you were placing video games above God's will for your life. This is clearly wrong. But if I have somehow misread your post or something, then excuse me. I was merely going off of what I read. And as I keep saying, I have no idea who you are, what your life is like, or what God has planned for you. I am merely going off of your original post. If I mistook for something else, I apologize.

 

[Soverinth]

staff edit

Nope. The only reason im talking to you is because of what you said, and what yo said concerns me because you are turning games into an idol by saying what you said. All ive been doing is trying to warn you not to make false idols. Simple as that.

 

[Skarl]

staff edit

What does the ability to legally drink alcohol have to do with anything? U

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

 

[Girder of Loins]

staff edit

Wow. I'm done here. Have fun living a life of partiality and exclusion. I pray that your journeys will find you peace and joy. Until then...

 

[Koakku]

staff edit

It really just seems like you're looking to argue with them, they're just trying to give you advice. Is a video game really worth more to you then your eternity?

 

[Koakku]

staff edit

No, this topic was created to see people's opinions on this subject. I never said that God condemns anyone for playing video games neither did anyone else in this thread but you basically stated that you wouldn't give them up for anything and you're basically mocking God and saying serving him is boring. You'd rather go to hell for eternity then to serve the God who gave you life and sent his son to die for you?